Cinder and Smoke
Iron Lyrics

Give me your hand
The singer is requesting physical comfort and emotional support from the listener.

The dog in the garden row is covered in mud
The dog is dirty, implying chaos, disorder, and perhaps neglect. Garden rows suggest a sense of order that has been disrupted.

And dragging your mother's clothes
The dog's muddy paws leave marks on the mother's clothes, perhaps symbolizing the dog's disruptive nature affecting the family unit.

Cinder and smoke
A repeated refrain throughout the song, indicating destruction, turmoil, and chaos.

The snake in the basement
An unwelcome presence that's hidden out of sight and difficult to eradicate, perhaps representing issues or problems that are difficult to deal with.

Found the juniper shade
The snake has found refuge in the juniper tree, which could symbolize the difficulty of addressing underlying issues that need to be addressed.

The farmhouse is burning down
A major crisis occurring, that everything is being destroyed, particularly noteworthy because the wrecking of a home implies a deep sense of tragedy.

And take what you will tonight, I'll give it as fast
The artist is willing to share everything they have immediately with the listener, providing reassurance during a time of upheaval.

And high as the flame will rise
The artist is willing to go to great lengths to comfort and support the listener during a tumultuous time.

Some whispers around the trees
The presence of whispers, particularly around trees which are often symbolized as symbols for life and growth, imply that secrets or rumors are being spread or that a community is in distress.

The juniper bends, as if you were listening
The juniper tree bends, seeming to lend an ear, as if it signifies listening, perhaps indicating that the community is listening to the singer.

Your mother is drunk as all the firemen shake
The mother is drinking to cope with the tragedy, further escalating the crisis. Firemen, who are usually seen as symbols for rescue, salvation, and prevention, seem shaken or stunned by the tremendous calamity that's occurred.

A photo from father's arms
Perhaps a family photo that shows happier times before the devastating occurrence took place. The father, whose arms are featured in the photograph, might be deceased or absent.

You'll ask me to pray for rain
A plea for divine mercy and assistance during a time of need and crisis.

With ash in your mouth
Ash in the mouth metaphorically could represent bitterness about the tragedy that took place or fear about an uncertain future.

You'll ask it to burn again
Even though the fire caused so much destruction, the artist predicts that the listener will plea for the fire to happen again. This line might signify that without the fire, the listener might not be able to cope or summon hope.